Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian

A patronal feast in the heart of the Nola area

In the calendar of religious traditions in the province of Naples, the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian holds a special place for the community of Carbonara di Nola, a small town in Campania nestled at the foot of the Lauro Mountains. Each year, in the second half of September, the town rallies around its Sanctuary to honor its patron saints with a devotion rooted in centuries of history.

The Sanctuary of the Medici Saints

The heart of the festival is the Sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian, built in 1535 on the site of an ancient chapel. Tradition tells that the sanctuary was founded as a sign of peace between the hamlets of Carbonara and Torrazzano; an olive tree was planted to mark the occasion and remains visible in the square in front of the church today. The building, with its Romanesque three-nave layout, retains its original bell tower. On February 16, 1938, a bishop's decree confirmed the Medici Saints as patrons and protectors of Carbonara di Nola, alongside Saint Blaise.

Devotion to the Anargyroi Saints

Cosmas and Damian are venerated as Anargyroi, meaning "without money," because tradition holds they practiced medicine without asking for payment; for this reason, they are considered the protectors of doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists. Their feast draws not only the locals to Carbonara but also numerous devotees and pilgrims from neighboring towns and across Campania.

Novena, Masses, and Procession

The festivities begin with a preparatory novena from September 17th to 25th, marked each evening by the Holy Rosary and Holy Mass. The highlight is the solemnity on September 26th, the liturgical feast day of the Medici Saints: Masses are held from the early morning hours, culminating in a solemn concelebration. In the afternoon, a procession carries the sacred statues of the Saints through the town streets; many devotees follow the parade barefoot and with lit candles in an ancient act of faith, before gathering in the Sanctuary Square for the final blessing.

A defining local appointment

More than just a date on the calendar, the Feast of the Medici Saints is a moment of collective identity for Carbonara di Nola, where faith, memory, and belonging intertwine. The illuminations, the ringing of the bells, and the participation of pilgrims make this feast one of the most deeply felt events in the September calendar of the Nola area, in Campania.